Cleveland Browns

Cleveland Browns news, rumors and injuries

Cleveland Browns WR Josh Gordon will be an exclusive rights free agent this offseason because he did not play in enough games this season for an accrued season.

Fantasy Tip: Gordon will not be allowed to talk with other teams, so he will be with the Browns for at least one more seasons. He recorded 335 yards and one touchdown in five games this season and should be a focal point in the passing game in 2018. He can be at least a No. 3 receiver in fantasy leagues.

Fantasy Tip: Pryor had a disappointing 2017 season when he finished with 240 yards and one touchdown. He should receive interest from several teams in free agency but likely would be a starter if he returns to the Browns. He can be a late-round pick in most drafts next season.

Fantasy Tip: The Browns tried to trade for McCarron during the season and are still looking for a starting quarterback. McCarron likely would be the starting quarterback if he signs with the Browns but would only be a No. 2 fantasy quarterback.

Cleveland Browns RB Duke Johnson finished with 74 catches for 693 yards, setting a new franchise record for receptions in one season by a running back. In addition, he logged 82 carries for 348 yards (4.2 per rush) on the ground. Overall, he had seven total touchdowns -- four rushing and three receiving.

Fantasy Tip: Johnson has slowly but surely been trending up since being drafted in the third round out of Miami in 2015, and it's possible he accomplishes even more next year after setting career highs in receptions, receiving yards and targets. He's been a nice complementary back to Isaiah Crowell, who is set to become a free agent, so Cleveland's running game situation will be worth watching this offseason.

Fantasy Tip: Mayfield is lower on most pundits' draft boards. Only time will tell if Cleveland uses one of its two top-five draft picks on the former Sooner. If they do, fantasy owners can wait at least a year before seriously considering Mayfield for their fake squads. He'll at least need to beat out DeShone Kizer first.

The Cleveland Browns are not likely to be serious contenders to sign Washington Redskins impending free-agent QB Kirk Cousins, according to Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Cabot believes the Browns are more likely to select a quarterback with the No. 1 pick in the 2018 NFL Draft and pursue a lower-tier quarterback in free agency.

Fantasy Tip: Even if Cleveland isn't in the running, Cousins will have no shortage of suitors this offseason. Expect him to be a QB1 candidate regardless of how free agency shakes out.

Fantasy Tip: Before Cleveland fans get irate about the team's inability to land a quarterback, it is very likely Kansas City's front office received similar offers from Washington and Cleveland and did its best to accommodate its high-character veteran quarterback by sending him to a team with the better shot of winning right away. With Smith off the market, the Browns will almost certainly select a quarterback with one of their two first-round picks in April's draft.